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California Hummingbird Lover's Guide💖
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items Everything that turned my yard into a hummingbird hotspot, the feeders they actually keep coming back to, the nectar and care that keeps them healthy, and the plants and places that bring the magic. If you love these tiny visitors as much as I do, st...
Sections
4
My Hummingbirds' Favorite Feeders
Nectar & Care
Plant a Hummingbird Garden
Where to See Hummingbirds in California
My Hummingbirds' Favorite Feeders
These feeders are the best performers. Leak proof, easy to clean, and irresistible to hummers. A few favorites for every kind of space.
Honestly one of the best feeders for the money. It's inexpensive, comes apart so it's a breeze to clean, and the wide base with multiple feeding ports means several hummers can sip at once. Highly rated for a reason, and mine absolutely love it. If y...
First Nature Hummingbird Feeder, 16 oz, Red, Plastic
The problem solver of the bunch. This tray style feeder is leak proof and ant proof, so no drips and no pests raiding the nectar, and the open tray design makes it one of the easiest to clean. If leaks or ants have driven you crazy, this is the fix.
Newhouse Pet Hummingbird Tray Feeder NHP-HUMTRY-RD, Hummingbird Feeder for Outdoors, Easy-to-Clean Leak-Proof and Ant-Proof Tray for Patio Decor or Outdoor Décor
A charming glass feeder in a manageable size, perfect if you want to refill more often with fresh nectar. The bright red top is a hummingbird magnet, and the glass makes cleaning simple. A lovely little addition to any garden or balcony.
Pennington Glass Red Hummingbird Feeder, 16 oz Nectar Capacity
A pretty glass bottle feeder that holds plenty, so you're not refilling every day. The classic red draws the hummers in from across the yard, and the glass wipes clean easily. A solid, good looking everyday feeder that just works.
Pennington Sipper Glass Bottle Red Hummingbird Feeder, 28 oz Nectar Capacity
A sweet little feeder for a smaller space or a second spot in the yard. The compact size keeps the nectar fresh since it gets used up faster, and the design is easy to fill and clean. Great for spreading a few feeders around so the hummers stop chasi...
More Birds 3-in-1 Hummingbird Feeder, 6 oz Hummingbird Nectar, Red
The big one for a truly busy yard. At 64 ounces it keeps a whole crowd of hummers fed without constant refills, which is a lifesaver in peak season. Durable plastic, easy to handle, and a smart pick if your feeders are always emptying fast.
Pennington Large Plastic Red Hummingbird Bird Feeder, 64 oz. Capacity
A generous glass feeder that's a favorite for a reason. It holds a lot, looks pretty hanging in the garden, and the classic red brings the hummers flocking. A dependable, high capacity pick if you've got a busy yard full of visitors.
Perky-Pet 209B-1SR Glass Hummingbird Feeders for Outdoors Hanging - 30 fl oz Nectar Capacity - Ant & Bee Guarded Red Bird Feeder
Nectar & Care
Keep them healthy and coming back. The nectar, cleaning, and little extras that make feeding effortless.
This nectar is clear and dye free, so no red dye they don't need, and it adds electrolytes to help keep them energized. Just mix, fill, and watch them come. An easy, healthier way to keep the feeders full without making your own every time.
Pennington Premium Electro Nectar Liquid Concentrate Hummingbird Food, Hummingbird Nectar, 16 oz., 1 Pack
The cheap little fix for the most annoying problem. Fill the moat with water and it stops ants in their tracks before they ever reach the nectar. A six pack means you can protect every feeder in the yard. Tiny thing, huge difference.
3-Pack Ant Moat for Hummingbird Feeders, Red Hummingbird Feeder Ant Guard, RustProof S Hooks with Cleaning Brushes and Hanging Chain for Bird Feeders
The easiest way to mix nectar without the mess or the math. Just add sugar and water, shake, and you've got the perfect ratio every time, no more spills or eyeballing it. Makes refilling so simple you'll actually keep up with it. A handy little helpe...
Sugar Shaker Nectar Maker - 2 Units
The little set that makes cleaning actually doable. Three bendable brushes reach into the bottle, the base, and every tiny feeding port, so no mold or gunk builds up. Feeders need cleaning every few days, and these make it quick. A must have if you'r...
6 Pcs 3 Size Bendable Cleaning Brushes for Hummingbird Feeder Hummingbird Feeder Cleaning Brush Outdoor Water Bottle Brush Water Bottle Brush Cleaner Long Handled for Thorough Cleaning
Plant a Hummingbird Garden
Feeders bring them in, but native plants keep them coming back to nest. These California natives are the ones hummingbirds can't resist, and they thrive in our climate.
The number one hummingbird magnet, and a California native that basically takes care of itself. Those tubular blooms are exactly what hummers are built to sip from. If you plant one thing for them, make it sage.
Bonnie Plants 19 oz. Pineapple Sage Herb Plant (2-Pack) 202023
A gorgeous native with tall spikes of tubular flowers that hummingbirds adore. Drought tolerant, easy to grow, and it brings the pollinators all season. One of the prettiest ways to feed them naturally.
ALTMAN PLANTS Penstemon (Beardtongue) Flowering Herbaceous Perennial, 2G Pot, Assorted Colors 1002300073
A late summer and fall bloomer that flowers right when other nectar is scarce, so the hummers flock to it. Bright, tubular, and tough as nails in our climate. A smart pick to keep them fed through the season.
Proven Winners 4.25 in. Eco+ Grande Rockin' Fuchsia Salvia (Hybrid) Live Annual Plant with Pink Flowers 4-Pack SALPRW0037504
The affordable, easy way to start a hummingbird garden from scratch. Look for a native or hummingbird specific mix, scatter, and watch your yard come alive. A little packet that turns into a whole season of visitors.
EARTH SCIENCE 2 lbs. Butterfly and Hummingbird All-In-One Wild Flower Mix with Seed, Plant Food and Soil Conditioners 12138
The sturdy hook that gets your feeders up at the right height, around five feet, in a sunny, visible spot. Makes it easy to hang feeders where the hummers will actually find them. A simple piece that pulls the whole setup together.
Vigoro Fuchsia 84 in. Black Steel Double Shepherd Hook (15 lbs. Max. Weight Capacity) 87202
Where to See Hummingbirds in California
Want to see them in the wild? These California gardens and reserves are hummingbird magnets, especially in spring and summer migration.
One of the best hummingbird spots in the state. The Australian and native gardens are packed with the tubular blooms hummers love, and Anna's are here year round. Go on a sunny morning and you'll hear them before you see them.
Birding at the Arboretum
The place to see desert species like Costa's Hummingbird. The desert gardens are built around exactly the plants these birds seek out. A completely different hummingbird experience from the coast, and worth the trip if you're in the desert.
Livingdesert
A lush, diverse garden where hummingbirds thrive among the flowering plants and native sections. Warm SoCal weather means activity almost year round. Bring your camera, the photo ops here are unreal.
San Diego Business Group
A NorCal gem with a huge native plant collection that hummingbirds love. The California native area especially is a reliable spot to see them up close. Beautiful, educational, and full of tiny visitors.
University of California Botanical Garden
A gorgeous garden near LA with year round blooms and lots of hummingbird activity. Peaceful, beautiful, and easy to spend a whole morning wandering. Great for combining a pretty day out with some serious hummer watching."
Descanso Gardens
A native plant nursery and garden that's basically a hummingbird paradise. Since it's all California natives, it draws the birds naturally, and you can see exactly which plants work before buying them for your own yard. A must for anyone building a h...
Theodore Payne Foundation